America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo

Summary

Low Disparities1

  • Between metropolitan3 and non-metropolitan3 areas for unemployment
  • Between females3 and males3 for physical inactivity
  • Between those with less than a high school education2 and college graduates3 for cancer

High Disparities

  • Between Black2 and Asian American/Pacific Islander3 for premature death
  • Between Hispanic2 and white3 for dedicated health care provider
  • Between those with less than a high school education2 and college graduates3 for food insecurity

[1] Low disparities within a state does not indicate that all populations are doing well. Consider rates in comparison to national averages.
[2] Rates worse than national average.
[3] Rates same or better than national average.

Highlights

  • 8% decrease in Low Birthweight in white infants between 2003-2006 and 2016-2019 from 6.7% to 6.2%
  • 45% decrease in Child Poverty in multiracial children between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 31.3% to 17.3%
  • 16% decrease in Smoking in male adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 21.5% to 18.1%
  • 24% increase in Frequent Mental Distress in female adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 10.7% to 13.3%
  • 19% increase in Poverty in households headed by an adult with a high school education between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 11.7% to 13.9%
  • 8% decrease in Flu Vaccination in adults with a high school education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 44.4% to 40.7%

Trends

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Income Inequality

Income inequality measures the ratio of median household income of the 20% richest to the 20% poorest. A high ratio indicates greater income inequality. Research demonstrates an association between greater income disparity and poorer population health.
In Iowa, income inequality has decreased since 2011. Iowa’s ratio is currently lower than the national ratio.
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